The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has elected Yvette van der Merwe as its new president, the first from an African country.

South African van der Merwe takes on the role for three years after being given the nod last week at the OIV General Assembly in Dijon, France, where the global wine industry organisation is headquartered.

She succeeds Professor Luigi Moio, who now becomes the inter-governmental body’s vice-president.

Since joining the South African delegation to the OIV in 2000, van der Merwe has held several key roles within the organisation, including vice president of the Law and Consumer Information Expert Group and chair of the Economic Analysis, Markets, and Consumption Expert Group.

An economist and specialist in new information technologies, she has worked in the South African wine industry for many years.

Van der Merwe is currently the CEO of South African Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS), where she has dealt with the administration of the wine of origin scheme under the Liquor Products Act and the management of statistical information and business intelligence in relation to the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act.

In a LinkedIn post, the non-profit trade group Wines of South Africa said: “The South African wine industry is celebrating a historic milestone as Yvette van der Merwe, executive manager of SAWIS, becomes the first woman from Africa to be appointed as president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

This prestigious appointment marks a proud moment for South Africa, recognising her nearly three decades of dedicated service and leadership in the wine sector.

Van der Merwe’s expertise and vision will guide the OIV in shaping the future of global wine practices, promoting sustainability, scientific research, and innovation. Her appointment is not only a personal triumph but also a significant achievement for the entire African wine community."

The OIV, which provides wine producing and consuming countries with information to develop regulations, minimise barriers to trade, promote sustainable production and protect consumers, has 50 members.

If no objections are received by OIV member states, China will become the 51st member of the organisation next month after applying to do so earlier this year.

In a report published in May on the global wine trade in 2023, the OIV revealed production levels reached a historic low that year while sales were hampered by falling demand and high average export prices.

It said a rebound in wine consumption following the Covid-19 pandemic has been “dampened” by the increasing price of wine - driven by surging energy and raw-material costs and supply-chain disruption which have had a knock-on effect on production and distribution costs.